Hoey in seventh heaven in Killarney

Michael Hoey was in seventh heaven as he ended months of “torture” with a brilliant finish in Killarney.

The Ulsterman, 31, was struck down by a mystery virus earlier this season and forced to take six weeks off.

But he confirmed his return to top form by closing with a 67 to take seventh place and pocket a cool €90,000 after a great week for the Irish.

Hoey beamed: “For me that’s massive. I’m just happy not to be tortured. The long game has been great for these last two weeks. I need a couple of weeks off now but I take a lot from this.”

Darren Clarke showed he’s close to doing something big despite finishing with a pair of bogeys for the second day in a row.

Tied 12th after a 69, he can’t wait to get back to Whistling Straits for the US PGA in two weeks.

Clarke said: “This was an important week for me. I played well enough but didn’t shoot the scores to match. But I have the US PGA coming up and hopefully I can go there and avoid the mistakes I made this week.

“I am really pleased with my golf. I left an awful lot of shots out there this week but I am happy and I can’t wait to get out and play again.

“I do feel something good coming. I am making the chances but just not taking them. All in all I have come a long way from where I was in Paris a month ago.”

Paul McGinley hit a 70 to share 14th and while he was disappointed not to grab his first top 10 for can’t wait for the Irish Open to come back to Killarney.

McGinley: “Overall it’s been a great week and a great Irish Open. Great crowds, terrific golf course and a great town to be in.

“I think the Irish Open is back where it belongs and it felt great to be in contention again.

“I’m a little bitter than I didn’t get a top 10 but there’s a lot to look forward to with the Ryder Cup coming up.”

Defending champion Shane Lowry went all out for glory but slipped to tied 21st after a 72.

Far from downbeat after a closing birdie, Lowry said: “I wasn’t going out there to finish top 10. I was going out there to try and win and I just went for a few pins, missed them in the wrong spots and made bogeys.

“That’s the way things go. It’s been a great week. I had chills walking up 18 with Michael Hoey. It was nearly as good as the Open in St Andrews.”

US Open Graeme McDowell confessed that he needs to sit down with Padraig Harrington next week to discuss how to deal with winning your first major.

Tied 31st after a level par 71, McDowell said: “I told Padraig I was struggling with it all a little bit, and it’s been tough to keep my focus, and he said, “Welcome to my world. We’ll have that conversation over dinner.”

“I’m looking forward to that. It’s difficult. You dream of achieving these things but dealing with them is another thing but it’s good problems to have and you know, frustrating, like I said.”

Hoey gets hot in Paris

Michael Hoey takes his hand off the club as he drives at Wentworth in last month’s BMW PGA. Credit: www.golffile.ieAs Paul McGinley ended a run of three missed cuts in a row to head the Irish challenge with Gareth Maybin, Belfast’s Michael Hoey produced a stunning back nine of six under 30 to make the weekend action in the Alstom Open de France at Le Golf National near Paris.

Irish in the mix as Siem snatches Killarney lead

Rory McIlroy plays his second shot on the second. Photo Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGraeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy launched a Friday afternoon McAttack to join the Irish charge and set up a Bank Holiday mega-party in Killarney

With Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington missing the cut, a damp squib weekend was on the cards if the other major winners failed to ignite.

But McIlroy made a late charge to shoot 67 and G-Mac weighed in with a sizzling 66 to get within six shots of leader Marcel Siem (66) on four under par.

Hoey grinds his way into contention in Singapore

Frustrating as it must be for Irish golf fans to watch Padraig Harrington head for his seventh missed cut of the season, Michael Hoey and Shane Lowry gave them plenty to cheer in the second round of the weather-delayed Barclays Singapore Open.

Lowry has McIlroy and Top-50 in his sights

Shane Lowry has work to do to catch McIlroy and Hanson but the top 50 beckons with a top finish in Shanghai.Shane Lowry has the world’s top 50 and Rory McIlroy in his sights after firing an immaculate eight under 64 in the second round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

Hoey in the mix as McDowell and Harrington lurk

Michael Hoey fires his approach to the fifth on the Montgomerie Course. Picture: Fran Caffrey / www.golffile.ieNew Dad Michael Hoey is in the mood again after a stunning 67 left him chasing his fifth European Tour win.